Do you have a favorite American small town?
Our country is wonderful, and we all know it. It has everything you could possibly look out for when you want to go on vacation. You could visit old and beautiful villages, swim in the ocean’s clear waters, go on a trip to the mountains and see the world from a different angle, take a walk under the palm trees, and so many other things.
But if you want to visit North America, we have some recommendations you don’t want to miss. We’ve come across some incredible historic small towns, and let us tell you that they didn’t disappoint.
The landscapes are gorgeous, and the coffee shops and restaurants have great food and beverages. Moreover, these small towns have a population of less than 25,000 but a rich history, making them a great and inexpensive way to learn about the past of our country.
Are you ready to explore them? Here they are:
10. Natchez, Mississippi
We start off this list with Natchez, a beautiful small town founded by French immigrants in 1716. Many people believe that this pretty town has been pivotal to the growth of the Lower Mississippi River Valley ever since it came to life.
Before the Civil War emerged, affluent Southern planters and riverboat captains constructed grand palaces in what was then the capital of the Mississippi Territory. Many of these homes remain standing to this day, and they’re absolutely gorgeous.
To learn more about the lives of African Americans in Mississippi, check out the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture. It’s an incredible place, and you’ll discover a lot of amazing info.
Don’t go home just yet, because there are many things to see in Natchez. For instance, this small town was once the place where there was the greatest slave marketplace in the United States, situated at the Forks of the Road. We told you their history is amazing!
9. Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
When compared to the hustle and bustle of the Washington, DC, or Baltimore metropolitan areas, Berkeley Springs seems like a whole new place that’s definitely worth visiting. A long time ago, people realized the healing potential of these mountain springs, so they’ve been flocking there ever since.
And can we tell them they’re wrong? The landscapes are absolutely gorgeous! Berkeley Springs is a small town that is very beautiful, and if you ever go there, don’t forget to take your camera with you because all your photos will turn out amazing.
Their State Park, for instance, is home to both historic bathhouses dating back hundreds of years and other newer facilities, as well as numerous charming hotels, restaurants, shops, and cultural events. So if you want to go there, you’ll have a lot of things to do!
8. Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches is the state capital and the oldest place in Louisiana; and it’s also one of the prettiest. This small town is also known as “Nack-a-Tish,” which is a nickname for the township.
There are tons of places to go to, so you’ll barely have time to sit down. Its old core is jam-packed with places to eat and shop, and the city has several yearly events that bring people there just like honey attracts bees. And trust us, this place is incredibly pretty!
…Are you ready to discover the next place on our list? Then click on the next page to find out more!
7. Taos, New Mexico
…We’ve told you that all these small towns carry a lot of history, and we delivered! Taos will amaze you with its interesting culture and amazing landscapes!
The Taos Pueblo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest inhabited settlements in North America. Speaking of that, many of the houses built on this territory date back centuries ago. As many sources say, people started living there more than a thousand years ago.
Taos has been a mecca for artists for almost a century, and the town currently has over 20 entries on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s definitely worth visiting and it’s also a very relaxing place!
We’ve talked to a few locals about the things you should do there, and they recommended checking out the spring waters, live music, local food, and simply getting outside and enjoying the view!
6. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
If you’re passionate about history and culture and you want to know more about what happened on the territory of our country many years ago, then pack your bags and get ready to visit this small town called Gettysburg!
This little Pennsylvania town is popular due to the 3-day combat between Confederate and Union soldiers during the American Civil War that happened there in the summer of 1863.
What’s interesting about this small town is that they like to remember the past so that they can look further into the future. Volunteers from the Gettysburg National Military Park recreate the fight every July, with narration by park rangers, giving people and visitors the chance to better understand what happened centuries ago as well as get to know the area’s history.
But if you’re more of a spooky person and you’d love to go on a ghost tour, you’ll be delighted to hear that this small town constantly organizes ghost tours. Are you ready to get scared?
5. De Smet, South Dakota
If you love children’s history books or like going to outdoor theater, this small town is for you! In 1879, Charles and Caroline Ingalls made their home in the town of De Smet, and they are considered to be the 1st family to live in that small town.
Their daughter Laura wrote the “Little House” novels about their life on the prairie, which were later adapted into the “Little House on the Prairie” TV series. Each summer, at an outdoor theater, locals reenact the tale, and tourists might see houses associated with the Ingalls family. So if you want to see a play and learn history at the same time, take a trip to this beautiful city!
4. Carlisle, Pennsylvania
The 4h beautiful small town on our list is Carlisle, located in the state of Pennsylvania. It’s located in the state’s geographic center and dates back to 1751. People are crazy about this place, and they consider it a historic gem.
What’s interesting about this beautiful small town is that the Carlisle Barracks, the second-oldest Army station, was a crucial supply center for American troops during the American Revolutionary War, and the town of Carlisle itself played a pivotal role in the conflict.
George Washington, “Molly Pitcher,” a woman who was considered the heroine of the Battle of Monmouth, and plenty of other people have traversed the town’s streets, making a historical impact along the way.
And the history doesn’t end here: The Dickinson Institution, located in Carlisle, was the first college in the then-new United States of America, having opened its doors in 1783. This small town is full of history, and it’s too interesting not to know about it!
3. San Elizario, Texas
This small town in Texas, called San Elizario, dates back hundreds of years to a Spanish colony and military outpost. As the railroad rose to prominence in the late 1800s, this beautiful place opted to preserve its historic character rather than modernize. Sometimes, if you ask us, the past is better.
Historic structures in the area are mostly made of adobe and designed in the Territorial or Pueblo Revival styles. Formerly a home built in the middle of the 19th century, Casa Garcia is now a museum that features plenty of exhibits about the town’s history and culture. Check it out; it’s amazing!
2. Abilene, Kansas
…Are you ready to discover the city where one of our former presidents was born?
Abilene is in the state of Kansas and is a very pretty small town. It’s more than just the place where Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States and a 5-star general, was born.
If you love the history and the culture of our amazing country, there are a lot of things you can visit. Tourists can also visit the historic Seelye Mansion, ride the oldest known Parker Carousel, relive the Wild West in Old Abilene Town, and do a lot more.
…Are you ready for number 1 on our list? Click on the next page to read all about it!
1. Wickford, Rhode Island
…Have you ever been curious to discover a small town that was built over 4 centuries ago? That’s incredible!
Europeans started this town in Rhode Island in 1637. It now has one of the best collections of 18th-century homes in the northeastern United States.
The Old Narragansett Church is in the downtown area of Wickford. It was built in 1707 and is the oldest Episcopal church building in the northeastern United States.
Moreover, Smith’s Castle, a beautiful place that was constructed in 1678 by the son of one of Wickford’s original European residents, is one of the city’s most popular historical sites. Even though it doesn’t look like a typical castle, with its little towers and stunning architecture, it is still nice to visit it and take a look at the past.
…Do you have any plans for vacation? If you need help planning your future destination, we’re here to help you with our best tips! Check out this article for inspiration: 8 Magical Midwest Locations That Look Like They’re in Europe!
